Worcester Power Station
1894 The World’s first municipal hydro-electricity and steam generating plant was opened at Powick. It had been buily by T. Rowbotham of Birmingham for Worcester Corporation. It had a water-generated capacity of nearly 400kW with steam-powered back-up.
Work had begun on the site in 1893; initially this was hampered by heavy rains which resulted in flooding and landslides, causing the contracting company to build a temporary dam to control the floodwater.
The annual reports for the plant for 1895, 1896 and 1897 all described it as "hydroelectrically unsuccessful."
At the start of the 20th Century, plans for a new tram system in Worcester by the British Electric Traction Company meant that more generating capacity was needed.
1902 The Corporation of Worcester built another steam-driven power plant on Hylton Road close to the river bank (water channels passed under the road to carry the cooling water). The Hylton Road plant with its striking red-brick chimney, dominated the skyline of the western river bank.
1940s Local engineering firm Heenan and Froude Ltd were commissioned to design a new steel-framed generating station. Building plans for a large extension (which in reality consisted of demolishing and rebuilding most of the original Hylton Road plant) were submitted for approval in April 1942.
1945 The new power station opened.
By 1979 the plant had been completely demolished